KT succeeds in testing of 5G video transmission on high-velocity vehicle

By Park Sae-jin Posted : October 12, 2017, 11:01 Updated : October 12, 2017, 11:01

[Iclickart]



KT, South Korea's largest telecom company, has set a new milestone for next-generation communication by transmitting video images to a car running at high speed in the successful expressway field test of its 5G network for the first time in the world.

KT said proudly that its 5G technology using "SLT" (SkyLife LTE TV), a hybrid of satellite and LTE wireless communication, would become a solid base in developing and commercializing autonomous and connected vehicles.

SLT uses LTE as a backup signal when satellite signal gets weak in harsh weather conditions or when a vehicle moves through a tunnel.

In its test that began in August, the car mounted with an SLT system has successfully received images while traveling at 100 kilometers per hour (62 miles) on an expressway between Seoul and the eastern ski resort of Pyeongchang, home to next year's Winter Olympics.

"Through this test, we have proven our next-generation communication technology capable of providing the endless flow of communication under any conditions," KT said in a statement on Thursday.

SLT was used as key technology for connected cars as automated vehicles need to stay in connection with servers when they are traveling at high velocity, KT said.

"This was the first test in 5G connection on an actual expressway environment," the company said. "The successful result of our field test holds a lot of meaning as we have realized an actual environment" for commercial use.

Competition is getting fierce among South Korean and foreign tech firms to commercialize a 5G communication network. Because of its fast speed, many tech firms find it suitable for transferring and analyzing a vast amount of data.

KT will set up a 5G network on an expressway from Seoul to Pyeongchang to demonstrate its new technology to Winter Olympic visitors. It plans to provide real-time (virtual reality) footage of the Olympic games in full HD definition.

KT's domestic rival, SK Telecom, is making more efforts to develop connected car technologies and provide a driving assistant system that will help drivers receive on-road situations by analyzing real-time data collected from traffic lights, other vehicles and sensors installed on building walls.

The two companies are to test their technologies at the end of this year. Others are trying to apply 5G technologies to everyday life such as drone delivery service.


 
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